Jay Jay's POV
The next morning, the school felt... different.
I noticed it the moment I walked into the hallway. Keifer wasn't shouting, teasing, or crashing into people as usual. He was quiet, focused, almost... careful.
Aries noticed too. "Bro... what's going on with Keifer? Did someone switch him with a twin?"
Percy snickered. "Maybe he's sick of chasing Jay all the time."
I tried to ignore the sudden tension in my chest. I couldn't tell anyone about the engagement yet.
---
In homeroom, Keifer sat closer to me than usual-but not the usual over-the-top 'I'm glued to you' way. This time, it was subtle:
He made sure my bag didn't fall off the chair.
He placed my pencil case where I could reach it without even I ask.
He kept a small, quiet watch over me whenever I looked uncomfortable.
I noticed, but didn't know how to react.
He's... different. I can feel it, but he doesn't know I know he knows...
---
Outside, our group gathered under the mango tree. I and Keifer walked together, a slight distance between us.
I felt Keifer's gaze kept flicking to me, careful and almost... tender.
I swallowed. He knows. He knows I'm still keeping the secret from him. And now he's acting... like this?
Aries leaned in, whispering: "Something's up. You can feel it, right?"
I nodded. "Yeah... but I can't say anything yet."
Percy added, "Well, whatever it is, Keifer is acting weirdly protective. Even weirder than usual."
Yuri smirked. "That's saying something."
---
During lunch, Keifer carefully slid a small note toward me under the table.
Are you okay?
I blinked. He didn't usually do this-he usually shouted or teased-but this... this was different. Serious.
I quickly scribbled back:
I'm fine.
I could feel his eyes lingered on me as I ate. There was a softness there I had never seen before-like he was worried, and I was the only thing on his mind.
I hugged my bag tightly. How am I supposed to act normal with him knowing the secret?
---
After school the rain started again in the afternoon. Aries and I waited by the school gate for kuya Angelo.
Keifer approached silently. He didn't run or shout this time. He simply walked beside me, an almost invisible presence.
"Keifer..." I started. "You... you don't have to walk with us."
He shook his head. "I want to."
I sighed. I could feel the difference. He wasn't just being clingy. He was... careful. Protective. Watching me, thinking about me.
He knows... and he's trying not to scare me with it...
---
Keifer's POV
That night I lay awake, staring at the ceiling again.
I couldn't stop thinking about Jay Jay, her laugh, her smile, the way she held herself... the way she didn't know yet I knew.
I have to be careful... I can't push her. But I won't let anyone else get close to her. Not now. Not ever.
A small, determined smile crossed my lips.
The secret had been revealed to me.
---
END OF CHAPTER 11
---
Word counts: 508